The Schools · where founders come from
School of Data Science
UVA’s newest school — and the fastest-moving frontier for new ventures.
$120Mfounding gift, 2019
$20Msecond building, 2024
2024first building opened
Overview
Founded in 2019 as the first school of data science in the nation, SDS opened its first building on the Emmet-Ivy Corridor in 2024. A second, dedicated to entrepreneurship, received final design approval in June 2026. Its Industry Partners Program and sponsored capstones already connect students with companies, and the new building will give AI and data ventures a home on Grounds.
- Data Science Industry Partners Program — four tiers from $5K to $50K+, with curriculum input and recruiting access
- Sponsored MSDS capstone projects with external and research partners
- $20M second-building gift (2024) to expand entrepreneurial activity
- School of Data Science Entrepreneurship Building — final design approved by the Board of Visitors, June 2026
- Founded 2019 on a $120M gift from Jaffray Woodriff’s Quantitative Foundation — the largest individual private grant in UVA history
- The first school of data science in the nation
Connected across the map
TranslationEnterprise Studio115 venturesThe NationNational industry & VCAstraZeneca · RA Capital · DroiaTranslationSolutions Labsfirst class underwaySpeed & ScaleCODE Building215K sq ft downtownThe SchoolsWise & NOVAUVA beyond GroundsTranslationCorporate Partnersevery school has themSpeed & ScaleEmmet-Ivy CorridorSDS + entrepreneurshipThe CommonwealthTech Talent Program$1.1B / 20 years
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